Arne Slot blames opponents for not playing like PSG: ‘I want to play 4-3-3 with real wingers’
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Arne Slot has defended his tactical approach at Liverpool by arguing that many Premier League opponents refuse to play in the open, attacking manner of PSG, which limits his ability to deploy the expansive football he prefers.[3] He reiterated that his ideal is a **4-3-3 system with “real wingers”**, high tempo and aggressive pressing, but stressed that rivals’ deep blocks and cautious setups force Liverpool into slower, more patient possession play.[3]
Slot acknowledged growing criticism that Liverpool have become “boring,” yet insisted that this is not by design and not reflective of his footballing principles.[1][3] He pointed to games like the Champions League tie against PSG at Anfield as the blueprint for how he wants his team to look: an open contest with space in behind, transitions, and frequent one‑on‑one situations for his wingers.[2][3] In contrast, he noted that domestic opponents increasingly sit deep, compress central areas and break up rhythm with fouls and time‑wasting, making it difficult to create chances at speed.[1][3]
The manager argued that possession statistics alone do not capture attacking intent, emphasising that Liverpool still aim to dominate the ball with purpose, not simply circulate it.[2][3] However, he conceded that the team has struggled to produce enough clear‑cut chances and that long passing sequences often end without penetration, feeding the perception of sterile control.[1][2] Slot maintained that he and his staff are working daily on solutions to break down low blocks, from quicker circulation to more risk in the final third, while balancing this with defensive stability.[1][2][3]
Ultimately, Slot placed part of the responsibility for the spectacle on opponents, suggesting that Liverpool’s football will look far more attacking once more teams are willing to “play like PSG” and engage higher up the pitch, allowing his preferred 4‑3‑3 with natural wide players to fully flourish.[3]